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View Full Version : Gung hay fat choy! (Happy Chinese New Year)


GaryMrMets
01-29-2006, 10:15 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/386742p-328169c.html

Year of pup love!
Around town, Chinese celebrations let the Dog out

BY LESLIE CASIMIR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Lucy Lee will welcome in the Asian Lunar New Year of 4704 today with hopes of a long and prosperous marriage, one she had put off a year for fear of a calamity.

"We planned our wedding in the Rooster year, but our parents said if we had gotten married, this would bring a lot of misfortune, a lot of arguments, a lot of bad luck," explained Lee, 30, an investment banker, who will marry David Chen, 36, on May 20.

"So we follow the old people - we don't want any arguments, no accidents. And I don't want to become a widow."

Today begins the Year of the Dog, one of the most beloved animals of the Chinese zodiac, known for its human traits of loyalty and domesticity.

Throughout the city, Asian-American brides are blissfully preparing their wedding banquets and tea ceremonies in the year of the puppy. An added bonus: 4704 will see two first days of spring, or the rebirth of the Earth - and this represents double promise.

In addition to visions of wedding bells, Asian New Yorkers will usher in the new year at home over noodle dumplings and in street celebrations.

Over the weekend, a flower market festival of peach blossoms and gladiolas added a floral bouquet to Manhattan's Chinatown. According to New Year's tradition, it is important for homes to be festooned with fresh flowers and red lanterns.

The festive Flushing Lunar New Year Parade took place yesterday in Queens. At noon today, a firecracker ceremony will take place at Mott and Bayard Sts. in Manhattan's Chinatown, followed by an all-day festival.

From 1 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 5, Chinatown will host the seventh annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival, beginning on Mott St. and winding through most streets in the neighborhood, ending at Worth St.

On Feb. 12, a Dragon Parade will mark the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. Dragon troupes will start marching at Bayard and Mulberry Sts. and continue throughout Chinatown.

Meanwhile, bridal shops in Manhattan and Flushing are already getting flooded with deposits from couples that want to tie the knot.

In the past few months, Johnson Lau - owner of Highlights Studio Wedding Center, a one-stop bridal emporium at Bowery and Grand Sts. - has booked 60 weddings. In all of the Rooster year, the shop organized only about 100 nuptials.

"We're all hoping for a very smooth year," said Lee, the bride to be, who lives in Flushing. "And next year [the Year of the Pig], maybe a little pig is coming out."

Originally published on January 29, 2006

http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/88-chinesenewyear.jpg
People gather in Chinatown yesterday to celebrate the Asian Lunar New Year.

GaryMrMets
01-29-2006, 10:17 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/advice/story/386393p-327879c.html

Bowwow! It's Year of Dog

By AMY SACKS
DAILY NEWS WRITER

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Tomorrow, it's out with the rooster and in with the dog. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, all dogs will overcome obstacles and look forward to a year of good fortune.

But big-hearted New Yorkers of all stripes are needed to help make sure that every canine has its day in the Year of the Dog.

"New Yorkers can make The Year of the Dog a banner year for homeless and abandoned New York City dogs by resolving to adopt their next companion animal from a shelter or rescue group," says Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

On Feb. 5, dozens of adoptable dogs will paw their way through Chinatown at the seventh annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival, which kicks off at 1p.m. on Mott St. in Manhattan.

The parade will feature gorgeous dogs from Animal Care and Control and other local shelters and rescue groups. The adoptable dogs will don yellow "Adopt Me" vests over a traditional Chinese New Year's outfit, in hopes of attracting a new home.

The event is part of an effort by animal agencies toward making the city animal shelters "no-kill." Under the "no-kill" standard, shelters would no longer euthanize healthy, adoptable animals due to space limitations.

The Chinese believe that dogs bring good fortune.

"The dog brings prosperity and happiness to everyone this year," said Carol Tsao, owner of Pearl of the Orient, a curio shop on Mott St. in Chinatown, which sells pint-sized traditional Chinese New Year dog outfits to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Not surprisingly, people born in the Year of the Dog - 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 1994 or 2006 - are said to possess nature's best traits and can expect all-around good fortune in 2006.

Like their canine friends, those born under the zodiac sign of the dog are said to be fiercely loyal, honest and faithful, and are known for their perseverance. They can also be stubborn and selfish.

Sarah Vollman, 35, who was born in 1970, shares many traits with her 3-year-old black Labrador Zora, formerly a trainee guide dog for the blind.

"We were both trained to be good listeners and to be loyal to the people we work for," said Vollman, an art therapist and social worker from Weehawken, N.J.

Some famous "dogs" include Ava Gardner, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Donald Trump, Winston Churchill, Elvis Presley. Mother Theresa and Confucius.

The Year of the Dog is an opportunity for every dog lover to become more thoughtful about their pets. For example, animal experts, concerned about the rush to buy puppies from pet stores, caution against supporting this industry that perpetuates puppy mills and reckless backyard breeders.

For the animal lover who can't adopt, Chinatown is awash in dog-themed items ranging from T-shirts, greeting cards and Chinese New Year's calendars to Lucky Dog hanging ornaments, and canvas bags.

To truly spoil your lucky canine, pick up a Chinese-themed dog carrier at Peony Red, on Centre St., or a box of locally made Asian-inspired Lucky Dog handmade butter sugar cookies from Six Persimmons Inc. www.6persimmons.com.

Tomorrow, Rick Arruzza, author of the Sparky Adventure books, will read Chinese New Year stories at Borders Books Kips Bay. Volunteers from Animal Haven shelter will bring adoptable animals and talk about treating a pet with love and devotion.

On Jan. 31, Champagne at the Ritz will benefit Animal Care and Control of New York City. Tickets are $100. For tickets, call (212) 341-0044, or visit www.nycacc.org. For information on Chinese New Year go to www.explorechinatown.com.

Gung hay fat choy!

Originally published on January 28, 2006

http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/125-woman_dog.JPG
Sarah Vollman cuddles Zora, her 3-year-old black Labrador who once was a trainee guide dog for the blind.